How to Use the Future Tense in Slovak for English Speakers

Understanding the Future Tense in Slovak

The future tense in Slovak is used to talk about actions that will happen later than the present moment. Unlike English, Slovak forms the future tense in two main ways depending on the verb type: using the verb byť (to be) with the infinitive or by conjugating the verb itself in the future form.

Two Ways to Form the Future Tense

In Slovak, the future tense can be formed in two ways:

• Using the verb byť in the future + infinitive (for imperfective verbs)
• Using the future tense conjugation of the verb itself (for perfective verbs)

Using <i>byť</i> + Infinitive for Imperfective Verbs

For imperfective verbs, which describe ongoing or repeated actions, the future tense is formed by conjugating the verb byť (to be) in the future tense followed by the infinitive of the main verb.

1. Conjugate byť in the future:
   ja budem (I will), ty budeš (you will), on/ona/ono bude (he/she/it will), my budeme (we will), vy budete (you all will), oni budú (they will)
2. Add the infinitive form of the main verb after the conjugated form of byť

Example with the verb robiť (to do):
- Ja budem robiť (I will do)
- Ty budeš robiť (You will do)
- On bude robiť (He will do)

Using Future Tense Conjugation for Perfective Verbs

Perfective verbs, which describe completed actions, form the future tense by conjugating the verb itself in the future tense. These verbs do not use byť + infinitive.

Example with the perfective verb urobiť (to do, complete):
- Ja urobím (I will do)
- Ty urobíš (You will do)
- On urobí (He will do)

Summary of Future Tense Formation

• Imperfective verbs: byť (future) + infinitive
• Perfective verbs: conjugated future form of the verb

Examples of Future Tense in Slovak

Tips for English Speakers Learning Slovak Future Tense

• Remember that imperfective verbs use the auxiliary verb byť in the future plus the infinitive.
• Perfective verbs have their own future tense conjugation.
• Practice by identifying whether a verb is perfective or imperfective to know which future form to use.